Indie Incognito Fall 2021 Issue

from Indie Incognito Fall 2021 Issue

Indie Incognito Fall 2021 Issue

Five Minutes with

Ms. Virginia

By Tony Smith

My fiancé and I recently had a trip back to my home town of Washington DC. Seeing my old stomping grounds is always special to me. As we drove along the U street corridor, I pointed out Ben’s Chilli Bowl. She had heard about it but did not know about it. As soon as we walked in to the counter, we both simply inhaled the aroma, embraced the friendly vibe, and said “ Let’s Eat”.

We noticed an elderly lady at the grill flipping burgers. We both realized it was Mas Virginia Ali, the original owner. I was encouraged to introduce myself, and of course, to mention Indie Incognito Magazine. I got Ms. Virginia’s, introduced myself and asked her why was she still back there cooking burgers. She looked at me and with a sly smile said “ Baby where else am I gonna be”. I simply said “Yes Ma’am”.

I asked if I could do an impromptu interview for just five minutes. She led me the quiet section of the restaurant and just talked away. Now 87 years old, she told me how she started the restaurant with her husband Ben when she was only 24. She touched on the struggles that ensued. How they embraced the community as activists and became pillars. Ms. Virginia smiled the entire time she talked about the dignitaries and celebrities that have become customers. But that smile paled in comparison to the one she gave when talking about the customers in her community. The one’s who have become family.